Tag Archives: tour

The new single Silence Creeping is Due out March 2nd but you can checkout the stunning new video right now as it was premiered recently on Whatsmyscene.com

With the girls already on tour here’s some little known facts the girls have recently divulged….

Ten Things You Never Knew About Hussy Hicks

Hussy Hicks started out as a three piece, playing a residency in a bar in the Middle East with Julz, Leesa, and Leesa’s sister, Kristy

The original three members of Hussy hicks, Julz, Leesa, and Kristy, recently got the band back together to feature in ABC for Kid’s TV series “Get Grubby TV” as Dirt Girls’ all girl band, encouraging kids to get outside, be creative, gros things, and be less wasteful.

Both Leesa and Julz started playing music as tweens, playing a similar circuit of pub venues around NSW and SE Qld from the ages of 11 and 13, yet never crossed paths until they were in their early 20’s.

Aside from music, Hussy Hicks’ current obsessions are:

Julz – Astronomy, cheese, and crypto currencies

Leesa – fermenting, fermenting, fermenting

Julz and Leesa did a stint as “artists in residence” for five months in Dachau, Germany where the only phrase they managed to learn in Bavarian dialect directly translates as “Hello old sausage skin”

Leesa was a signed country music starlet with a record contract with ABC Country and a songwriting deal with Warner/Chappell Publishing at age 17. When she was 18, she appeared in a Rolling Stone feature on the rising stars of Australian country music.

While touring in australia, Hussy Hicks usually trip around in their old Hiace camper van, and often still choose parking out under the stars over posh hotel rooms. On their first tour of the USA in 2006 they hired a Ford F250 van and drove it thousands of miles ending up in situations that certainly can’t be condensed into a point form article!

The infamous Hussy Hicks bass player “Tracy Bassy” has been playing with Julz and Leesa since well before the band got together, though doesn’t like photo shoots, video shoots, or any kind of extra publicity.

Out of Julz and Leesa’s combined 6 siblings, 4 have been gigging members of Hussy Hicks at some stage.

Although they’ve been playing together since 2005, February 2018 marks ten years since Gold Coast act Hussy Hicks released their first album and undertook their first National Tour. It’s been an amazing decade with the release of five full length albums, many circumnavigations of the globe, playing countless gigs in the US and Europe as well as pretty much every festival and town in Australia.

To celebrate this landmark the girls are starting their National Single Release Tour in WA and then across the East Coast for a string of gigs from February and stretching all the way into June.

Recorded in Dockside Studios in Maurice, Louisiana with bass player and producer Charlie Wooton of Royal Southern Brotherhood fame, it’s just been announced that Australia’s own premier blues guitarist James Southwell’s latest album, The Dockside Sessions (Where The Wind Blows) is a strong contender for nomination in the forthcoming 60th Grammy Awards in the Best Contemporary Blues Album category!

Featuring some of America’s finest sidemen, among them keyboards player Michael Lemmler from the George Porter Jr Band, harmonica player Jason Ricci, Prince Percussionist Rafael Pereira and Doug Belote from The Eric Clapton and Tedeschi Trucks bands and mastered by six-time Grammy Award-winning engineer David Farrell, the album debuted at #1 on the Australian Blues Airplay Charts and has sat within the top 25 ever since.

Not bad for an album that Southwell, a finalist in both the 2014 and 2015 Memphis Blues Challenge, hadn’t even expected to make. He’d first met Wooton at the Narooma Blues Festival back in 2015 and immediately felt they’d found kindred musical spirits in each other. A few months later Wooton invited Southwell to come on over to record in the US.

“I was shocked and surprised and didn’t expect them to follow it up,” Wooton admits, “but they rang to say they’d booked the flight, Originally just to record a couple of songs that turned into a whole album. From nothing it went to being a full album in Dockside Studios”

“Best album I’ve ever been a part of,” is Wooton’s opinion, while on the subject of Southwell himself,Riotact reckons “James is not afraid to push his music past all previously existing boundaries and well past what most musicians consider the limits of what is safe.”

Released in June 2017, The Dockside Sessions (Where The Wind Blows) could just become the first album by an Australian blues musician to score a Grammy. The Recording Academy has added the album to the Contemporary Blues Album Category that voting members can vote for Grammy Award Nomination. So let’s all get behind it in whatever way we can and bring in the gold for Australia!

9th December NSW -The Day On The Grass – Wombat

19th-21st January NSW – with special guest Gail Page playing three full band shows, plus two solo acoustic shows at the 2018 Thredbo Blues Festival

“With acoustic in hand the beautiful singer/songwriter sang her way through well-constructed songs about life, love, ups and downs and everything in between. Coming across as the Australian equivalent of Alanis Morissette, the alternative rock/pop on display is world class.”

“First up, the wistful and edgy, rebellious and arty, relentlessly creative Diana Anaid delivered a set of tracks from her new album My Queen and older favourites relying solely on her acoustic guitar and amazing voice.”

The Cruelty Free Festival in Sydney went off last weekend, not to mention her very revealing chat on 2SER ‘s Dirt Music with the mighty Stuart Coupe, and her next date is Australian Music Week performing with her backing band.

The video clip for Can’t Apologise was directed by Rock N Roll Hall of Fame recipient Nick Egan (Oasis, Duran Duran) and shot on location in Los Angeles at Topanga Canyon.
The Video was premiered by TheMusic in August - here

Diana Recently spoke to Foghorn Media about the new album, her early influences and what inspires her

This album of thoughtfully chosen songs was written during a brief hiatus from the industry, time that I spent reconnecting with family and with my love of writing. The first song Into Your Heart speaks of my never-ending love for my transgender sister and my wish for a more compassionate world for her. This is my first real falsetto attempt since 1999’s Blues Singer.”

First single “’Can’t Apologise’ relates to the dilemma faced by friends tempted to take it to the next level. What happens when he/she gets with someone else, sacrificing both the relationship and the friendship? How DO you have your cake and eat it too??”

Tell us about the moment you decided to become a singer- Having creative older siblings I was encouraged to listen to different styles of music and was always singing and picking up different instruments. What did your family have to say about it? My dad was supa supportive, even buying me my first guitar- although he did hock it a week later.

What inspired you to become an artist and who are your early influences? Inspired by the cathartic nature of music, lyrical songwriting in particular, it was the poets of the 20th century who influenced me the most; Loeonard Cohan, Jim Morrison, Bob Dylan.

Your bio mentions that you took a lot of lyrical inspiration from your sisters transgender journey, can you tell us a little more about that? More than half of the songs on My Queen are dedicated or inspired by her recent inspiring transformation

What current Australian(or Local) acts inspire you and why? What international acts?-Sia is a fantastic inspirational act to me, as are sooo many Australian artists like Courtney Barnett, The Waifs and John Butler. International acts like Lily Allen, Lorde and Patti Smith.

Fave film? I love watching comedy and Australian made movies.

Fave Book? The Thesauraus, followed closely by the dictionary, but I pretty much LOVE the thesaurus.

Fave animal or pet? I love wild animals, wildlife and even feral city critters. I always have some sort of connection with the animals in the area where I am touring; We saved a possums life that was stuck under our car, hurridly rushing it to the Bondi vet before it closed at 9pm, and just missing the start of our gig down the road. I was also offered a miniature horse in Tasmania, with full intention to bring it back on the plane as my seeing-eye-horse

Anaid is a stand-out musician who “continues delivering authentic, original music” (Kathy McCabe)”,and is a pioneer of a “Different kind of girl power” (Music Network)“There’s only one Diana Anaid”. (Iain Sheddon)

Hussy Hicks Announce New Single “Pirate Flag” and Set Sail on An Aussie Tour!The Gold Coast Duo have recorded one of their fans live favourites and since the lyrics reflect the current world situation they just had to get out on tour and perform the tune as well.

Release Date Friday February 24

‘Let’s set sail under a pirate flag’ is the message in this track that is a firm crowd favourite from Hussy Hicks live sets and echoes a sentiment of political skepticism that resonates the world over in these turbulent times.

This latest single along with ‘Whole Lotta’ (2016 Amrap top 5/Roots n All Triple J) are both being added as bonus tracks to a limited edition vinyl pressing of their 2016 release ‘Lucky Joe’s Wine and other tales from Dog River’ to be made available mid 2017.

After the band tracks were recorded live in beautiful Byron Bay, the tune navigated its way to London where it was mixed by long term collaborator A Friend O Mine and Mastered at Abbey Rd Studios.

Featuring the core HH team, Julz Parker and Leesa Gentz along with rhythm section Tracy Stephens and Rohan Hems the track is true to the Hussy Hicks live sound and will be music to the ears of their regular fans who have been crying out for this track to be recorded.

‘Let’s set sail under a Pirate Flag’ Tour Dates:

March 25 – Mojo Burning Festival – Brisbane, QLD

March 26 – Black Bunny Kitchen – Alexandra Headland, QLD

March 31 – The Royal Mail Hotel – Brisbane, QLD

May 19 – Blues on Broadbeach Festival – Gold Coast, QLD

May 20 – Blues on Broadbeach Festival – Gold Coast, QLD

May 21 – Blues on Broadbeach Festival – Gold Coast, QLD

June 8 – Lazybones Lounge – Marrickville, NSW

July 7 – Bello Winter Music Festival – Bellingen, NSW

July 8 – Bello Winter Music Festival – Bellingen, NSW

July 9 – Bello Winter Music Festival – Bellingen, NSW

Click below to see the new single “Pirate Flag” performed live at Sunny Side Studios!

The Violent Femmes are BACK. Last year they toured Australia after the release of their first record in 15 years: “We Can Do Anything” Now they’re returning this March and April to promote their new live album (out soon).

The band have been touring through Europe for summer over there and return to our shores to present the multi facetted live show that has been developed over the past few years.

Leader Sophie Kinston was recently interviewed and had this to add-

“I’ve just returned from a 31 date tour of Hollland, Ireland, UK, and Germany, launching this album, playing some quite amazing festivals, gigs, street shows, pop up shows, boat shows…..it was the 4th Europe tour, and now i’m back in Oz. Touring the album to some of our favorite spaces. Tailor Birds is a unique sound, so it’s really important that our shows reflect this. So we’ve got a couple of festivals – Alma’s Hem in South Australia, and FRL in VIC, plus some local markets and gigs – Bar Oussou, Queen Vic meat market, Ceres, a Melbourne Sofar Sounds gig, Sydney’s Mr Falcons and a show in the Rocks, plus a special climbing wall show over 3 dates, where we’ll actually be playing inside the wall, plus a street show outside the wall. ”

Tell us a quick, on the road or studio, anecdote. –

“The Azart Ship of Fools. I played on this boat in Holland just this past tour. The inside was thick with steel, and the sound when pushed up a level, it reverberated beautifully. The people on the boat are some of the most amazing humans, promoting new and unique music, music that entertains and thrills. You can’t not have a good gig there. The sound became less about the songs, and more about the vibe, it sort of became other worldly. Must have been my best gig of the tour. The boat, incidentally is headed for Australia, so it seems. From Holland, they head to India, the Canary Islands, and then Australia. ”

If you haven’t yet, read through a QnA with the boys to kick off their latest EP The Door –

Q & A with Jack and Curtis………

What inspired you to become a singer in a band?

Curtis

The meticulous strain of learning covers and not playing them perfect and or well. If it’s your own song you get to decide what’s perfect and what’s right. It’s a pretty good feeling playing your own music and seeing people in the crowd enjoying themselves as much as you do. Kinda if we get you off then we’ll get off kinda thing.

Jack

My old man played guitar when I was young and I always wanted to play. He got me a nylon string and off I went (he still has that guitar). Dad loved James Taylor, Paul Simon, Dylan, and all of those singer song writers, so I guess that is where it started. My teen years in the 90’s in the UK started the band/rock music for me. It was a great time to be around the music scene in England: Oasis, Blur, The Verve even The Spice Girls – ha ha.

Who are your early influences?

Curtis

As I came to the understanding that I wanted to be a musician I really liked musicians that were unique and matter what they were doing you kinda knew it was them. Early on I was influenced by a lot of bands. I try and steal something from everybody. I am a bit of a guitar pedal addict so if they are using some sort of effect they are an influence. It’s my way of hiding that I actually have no idea what I am doing.

Tell us a little about how you write, how do the songs come? What gets you going creatively?

Curtis

Usually Jack or someone would come in with an idea, then we try to flip it on its head and make it good, ha ha. No, we jam it out in the room with the boys try new and interesting ideas over the old ones. Really the songs only come together with us pushing each other to be different. I work really hard on them on my own, but no matter how hard you plan and think your idea is right everyone else’s is usually better. That’s the great thing about a band its amalgamation of lots of ideas.

What gets us going is being in that room together, when everything clicks and we all get a little smirk knowing this feels right; probably the beers as well.

Jack

Sometimes they just happen. The good ones just flow. It’s usually something I’m angry about. I get some chords going but the melody and lyric is what I find most important. Someone once told me to write what I know and feel don t try to fake it. Which is so true and the best tip I ever heard.

After that I take it to the band. Then they make some noises and change some parts and boom we have a new song. I would say one in every three we write makes it to the live set. One in four get recorded.

Your bio mentions “newsworthy angle/funny story or event’ tell us what went on there.

Jack

The Gibson Guitar endorsement was amazing. We had finished pre-production on our album ‘Burning In The Sun’ and we are hanging out in the studio. Marshall, our Publisher & Label) and all round Legend said ‘You guys need anything else for recording?’ Yeah some good guitars, we said and laughed it off. Next day phone rings, it’s Marshall – ‘Go down to the pro shop, they’ve got some GIBOs for you to use’. I jump in the car, the exhaust pipe falls off on the way over, get to the shop meet the Rep, top bloke, we walk out with a Thunderbird Bass, Nikki Sixx Signiture (took it out of the display case for us) an SG and a Vintage Les Paul.

Put about 15 grands worth of guitars in the back of my 1000 dollar car next to the broken exhaust I recovered from the road. A few months after that I was added to the Gibson Artists list. Now I put my fancy guitar into the back of my 1000 dollar car next to the broken exhaust.

What is the first record you bought and why?

Curtis

It was a Wiggles tape, I was 7.

Jack

The one and only, Chesney Hawks, went halves with my brother it was a vinyl single, I have no idea why.

What current OZ acts inspire you? Ditto for international acts?

Jack

I am inspired by a lot of bands and artist we play with. The hard work they put in and the amazing talent that goes mostly unnoticed. Australia has a massive music community waiting to be heard. Tune into some community radio is my advice. International acts – at the moment I can’t stop listening to Jason Isbell’s last two albums.

Tell us a little about your music and what a crowd can expect at a live show?

Curtis

I like to think or music is always evolving, I’m pretty sure we don’t play anything the same twice, we kinda feel each other out and hope that us having a good time shines through. We can get pretty loud but we love it that’s why we do it.

Jack

We really enjoy the live shows and I hope people see that when we play. As for the crowd we will take anyone who shows up, ha ha

Favourite artists of all time?

Curtis

For me, it’s Radiohead , NIN, Queens of The Stone Age, Tool and the two Jimmys’ (Page and Hendrix) with a notable mention to Dave Gilmore. It’s hard though, I’ve been influenced by a heap of bands that I still listen to today. I could be hear all day naming people. Once you find an artist you go and find out who influenced them, it’ a never ending cycle.

Jack

Van Gogh. Can’t pick just one for music

You are backstage with ‘insert artist you adore or hate’, what do you say?

Jack

Kanye West can you please shut the fuck up

Where do you see Aussie music heading?

Curtis

I’m really not sure, I’m hoping away from the computer. Hopefully, more performers and lesson button pushers. Don’t get me wrong there is a lot of talent in some of them and I enjoy it, wish more of them would use it as an instrument and less of a cheat.

Jack

I think we might be on the bottom of a cycle. The music industry is playing catch up with the internet and more home production and electronic music is flying around. We also have the reality music TV shows that are finally loosing their appeal. I believe that one band will come along and start up a big music movement again like Oasis did for the UK in the 90 s. Maybe it’s time for the smaller independent labels to rise as the big ones struggle. It’s music so you just have to wait and let it do its thing.

What are your future plans for 2016/2017

Curtis

We are looking at playing as many shows as possible, doing what we love. Work on new material continue to work on us as band and just do what we do.